Sons of American defector unveiled as North Korea propaganda stars

The two sons of a US soldier who defected to North Korea in 1962 have declared their devotion to the regime of Kim Jong-un and demanded that Washington "drop its hostile policy" against Pyongyang.

Ted and James Dresnok, the sons of James Joseph Dresnok, were interviewed by the Minjok Tongshin, a pro-North Korean news service based in the US, and carefully followed the party line on life in the "socialist paradise" where they were born.

Thanks to "the generous care of Kim Jong-il", Ted Dresnok said he was able to attend foreign language schools before studying English and Japanese at Pyongyang University of Foreign Studies.

Now 36 and working at a education facility linked to the Workers' Party, he is married to a North Korean woman and has a daughter of seven and a son of six.

James Dresnok told the interviewer that he volunteered to serve in the military in 2014.

"Thanks to the general's hospitality, we receive gifts on every national holiday", he said. "I am very grateful for the socialism system.

"Due to the worsening situation on the Korean peninsula, I decided to work for the military".

James, who is married with a daughter aged 6, added: "I want to serve my mother country with my life and bring about the reunification of the Koreas so the world will see the superiority of Kim's Korea."

His brother echoed that sentiment, saying: "My precious dream is to become a Workers' Party member and pay back my gratitude to my general. I want to stand in a unified country by my general".

The two men, both with large badges depicting Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il pinned to their lapels, agreed that the US was to blame for the current tensions in the region.

"I want to advise the US to drop its hostile policy against North Korea", Ted said. "They have done enough wrong and now it's time for them to wake up from their delusions.

"The US should sign a peace treaty with North Korea and withdraw its forces and nuclear weapons from the Korean peninsula," he added. "It's the quickest way to solve the current issue".

They also praised their father for defecting to North Korea, saying "he chose the right path".